ANI Foundation, NPS Inaugurates New Outpost in Gashaka Gumti National Park

Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

The Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS) has inaugurated a new outpost for Park Rangers in the northern sector of Gashaka Gumti National Park situated in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The Outpost, which would accommodate 50 Rangers and other support staff, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including internet, 24-hour power and water supply, is another milestone in ANI Foundation’s resolve and commitment to conserve, protect and preserve Nigeria’s biodiversity.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abass Lawal, stated that the new outpost would play a significant role in enhancing conservation efforts and responding swiftly to threats within the Park which is the largest Park in West Africa with a landmass of 6,731 sq. km.

The minister noted that the Park has faced numerous challenges in protecting its rich biodiversity particularly habitat destruction, poaching, climate change and insecurity occasioned by illegal mining activities.

He particularly lamented that the activities of illegal miners have posed serious threats to the communities surrounding the Park leading to banditry, kidnapping and general insecurity saying the establishment of the outpost would go a long way in tackling the menace.

According to him, “The collaboration between NPS and ANI in managing these two national parks is apt and will go a long way in mitigating these challenges and protecting our wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystem.”

Commending the collaboration between ANI Foundation and NPS, Lawal, who was represented at the occasion by Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of Parks, stressed that partnership has greatly complemented the federal government’s initiatives in safeguarding our national treasures.

“This partnership, therefore, signifies a robust alliance shaped by a shared vision to ensure that our parks are not only protected but also serve as sanctuaries for wildlife, ecotourism, and sources of livelihoods for local communities,” he stated.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of ANI Foundation, Tunde Morakinyo, called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency shut down illegal mining operations within the region.

Morakinyo”s call is coming barely a week after about 20 illegal miners lost their lives when a mining pit in the area collapsed, even as there are several other such illegal mining sites within and around the park.

He maintained that illegal mining activities in the area has escalated criminal activities in the region with communities surrounding the Park on the receiving end saying that the situation must be addressed quickly before it gets out of control.

He reiterated the commitment and resolve of ANI Foundation to the preserving wildlife and biodiversity in the protected area noting that the objective of ANI Foundation is to make the Park a magnet for development of Adamawa and Taraba States.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director-General, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Zacharia Buba, urged the people of Toungo and Ganye LGAs to make deliberate efforts to ensure the Gumti sector of the Gashaka Gumti National Park is upgraded to a National Park.